Richard Yonck

Richard Yonck is a globally recognised futurist, keynote speaker and author who helps organisations make sense of artificial intelligence and the wider forces shaping the future. Based between Seattle and Prague, he takes audiences on an engaging journey into what’s next, translating complex AI developments into clear choices leaders can act on. Richard’s work sits at the nexus of artificial and human intelligence, with a consistent focus on what kind of future we want to build, and how to shape it with human values at the centre.

Richard is Founder and Lead Futurist at Intelligent Future Consulting, where he advises businesses, institutions and public sector bodies on emerging technologies and long-range strategy. With a background spanning computer science, media and consultancy, he brings hands-on understanding of how technology is built, adopted and experienced. Over the past fifteen years, Richard has delivered keynote talks across the U.S. and internationally, from industry associations and innovation weeks to CEO summits and VIP salons. He is also a TEDx speaker, known for exploring the co-evolution of humanity and technology in a way that is both rigorous and accessible.

Richard is the author of ‘Heart of the Machine’ and ‘Future Minds’, two widely regarded books examining how AI will develop, and how it may reshape identity, work and society. He is widely published across leading outlets, and his insights are frequently sought by global media, business audiences and academic communities. Richard previously served as Computing and Artificial Intelligence Contributing Editor for ‘The Futurist’ magazine, and he is a member of the National Association of Science Writers, reflecting the depth of his research-led approach. Audiences consistently describe his talks as ‘awe-inspiring’, ‘passionate’ and ‘mind-blowing’, because he combines big-picture foresight with grounded, practical implications.

As a speaker, Richard covers topics including generative AI, spatial AI, agentic assistants, hybrid intelligence, automation and the future of work, AI in healthcare, and the rise of emotion AI. Organisers book Richard when they want clarity without hype, and a keynote that prompts better conversations in the room after the applause. For example, he might help a leadership team map how AI assistants could change customer experience and workforce capability over the next three years, then turn that into a set of decisions on skills, governance and investment priorities.